Target game

ABSTRACT

A toy device which in a preferred embodiment is a target game having a target receivable of a blow by a mallet, a dart, a BB, a bullet, or the like, a closing of the switch by a hitting of the target or a hitting of the bull&#39;&#39;s eye of the target serving to close a switch which is held in a closed position by a magnet, the closing of the circuit actuating an electrical circuit providing heat to an electrode in contact with an inserted cap which heat explodes the cap to cause a snugly fitting but removable enclosure to pop off because of the heat effect on the gases within the enclosure, the circuit being broken by a safety switch when the enclosure around the filament is popped off or other wise removed, the filament being of a removable and replaceable variety and mountable in a position such as to provide sufficient room for a cap to be inserted beneath the filament with the head of the cap in contact with a contact surface of the filament.

United States Patent 91 Nathanson et al.

[ 51 Mar. 27, 1973 TARGET GAlVlE [76] Inventors: Albert Nathanson, 75-60199th St.,

Flushing, N.Y. 11366; Charles Girsky, 67 South Mall Dr., Melville, NY.11784; Matthew R. Miller, 77 South Bicycle Path, Selden, NY. 11746 [22]Filed: Nov. 30, 1971 [21] App1.No.: 203,203

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.53,377, July 9,

1970, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl ..42/54, 46/199, 273/1022 R [51] Int. Cl ..F41c 3/06, A631)63/00, A63b 71/06 [58] Field of Search ..42/54, 55, 84; 46/176, 196,

46/199; 273/101 I, 102 R, 102 A, 102.1 R,

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 622,784 12/1935 Germany ..42/54 PrimaryEtaminer-Benjarnin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-C. T. JordanAtt0mey-William T. I-Iough et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A toy device which in a preferred embodiment is a targetgame having a target receivable of a blow by a mallet, a dart, a BB, abullet, or the like, a closing of the switch by a hitting of the targetor a hitting of the bulls eye of the target serving to close a switchwhich is held in a closed position by a magnet, the closing of thecircuit actuating an electrical circuit providing heat to an electrodein contact with an inserted cap which heat explodes the cap to cause asnugly fitting but removable enclosure to pop off because of the heateflect on the gases within the enclosure, the circuit being broken by asafety switch when the enclosure around the filament is popped off orother wise removed, the filament being of a removable and replaceablevariety and mountable in a position such as to provide sufficient roomfor a cap to be inserted beneath the filament with the head of the capin contact with a contact surface of the filament.

12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEURARZYIQIZ 3,722,124

. INVENTORSZ ALlziRT NATilQ-iSANSON MATTH RM ER BY WW7 ATTORNEYS.

TARGET GAME This application is a continuation-in-part of the parentapplication U.S. Ser. No. 53,377, filed July 9, 1970, now abandoned.

This invention relates to either a game or a sporting devicecharacteristically utilizable by either children or adults.

BACKGROUND Prior to this invention, there have been various devices forexploding miniature explosive caps such as the type for example as wouldbe utilized in a cap pistol, for example. Even caps utilizable in a cappistol however have sufficient charge and are capable of producingsufficient flame and burning as to be dangerous to children, if thechildren are directly exposed to an exploding charge which in a cappistol is by virtue of concussion. In the parent application, there wasdisclosed the inventive concept of enclosing a cap in contact with anelectrical filament together with a safety switch closed by virtue of aconductor on the underside of the plastic hood being mounted downwardlyover the filament and cap to be exploded. In that disclosure, it wasnecessary to utilize tape of a suitable type for sticking down theelectrode filament in contact with the cap. Although there is noparticular objection to such a procedure, the procedure nevertheless istime consuming and not convenient nor desirable for the purposes ofsimplicity and simple maneuvers which may easily be conducted by a childand adult alike. Also, in such a system, the filament wire rapidlybecame brittle and would break after a short period of repeated use. Aparticular problem arises where the current flows through the filamentand the wire is not in secure contact with the surface'of the head ofthe cap, whereby the filament rapidly burns itself out because heat isnot transferred to the cap. Also, it is desirable to have an improvedtype of safety switch which does not necessitate the inclusion of ametallic contact on the container to be mounted enclosingly around thefilament and cap. Also, it is desirable that such a toy device be of ashape and design more flexible to different end uses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to obtain a toy,game, or sporting device overcoming one or more of the problems and/ordifficulties of prior such devices.

Another object is to obtain such adevice having new and noveladvantages.

- Another object is to obtain an apparatus of simple structure and ofeasy operation.

Another object is such a device with removable and replaceablefilaments.

Another object is such a device in which the filaments because of theirrespective shapes are longer lasting.

Another object is to obtain such a toy or game device with an improvedsafety switch of simplified structure and mechanism of operation.

Another object is a target game offering a new high level of excitementand amusement.

Other objects become apparent from the preceding and followingdisclosure.

One or more of the preceding objects are obtained by this invention asdefined hereafter.

The invention broadly includes a new insertable long-life filamenthaving typically an M-shape in which the downward pointing centralportion of the filament is contactable with the raised head of a capslidable beneath the downwardly pointed contact surface, this particulardesign offering a spring resiliency whereby as the cap is slid under thecontact surface of the filament the contact surface is such that it maybe slightly flexed upwardly against the normal spring bias of thedownwardly pointed contact surface, thereby assuring firm contact of thefilament with the heat-sink cap raised-head.

Additionally, the filament-opposite-end legs are insertable downwardlyinto slots which slots respectively provide positive and negative leadcontact surfaces. At least one of the negative or positive leads at apoint actuatable by mounting of an enclosing container downwardlymountable over the filament is a safety switch which is normally springbiased in an open state and upon the mounting of the container over thefilament is pressed into a closed circuit state, whereby prior to theclosing renders the electrical exploding of the cap an impossibility.The member on which the filament is mounted preferably is separatelymountable on a base mounting member of one or more sections whereby aplurality of caps or upper cap-mounting filaments may be preparedsimultaneously in advance to,

firing any one or more thereof and easily interchanged after use withoutthe necessity of inserting a cap between each explosion. Accordingly,the positive leads of the lower base member(s) is contactable with thepositive lead of the upper filament mounting member, and similarly theupper filament mounting member(s) negative lead is contactable with thelower member(s) negative lead when the upper member is mounted withinthe lower member(s). The lower member includes actuation switch which ina preferred embodiment has a target member such as a bulls eye mountedthereon in a position such that the striking of the target or at leastof the bull's eye for example would cause the lever to assume a closedcontact position thereby closing the circuit which would cause'thefiring of the cap. The actuation switch must include a member whichsecures the switch in the open position until such time as the switch isclosed by a concussion from a projectile or hammer or the like, such asa BB, a dart, a ball, or the like. The switch must also however includea retaining means such that when the switch is closed to actuate thecircuit, the switch remains in the closed condition until openedintentionally. It is essential that the switch remain in the closedcondition firmly securing electrical contact in order that current mayflow through the filament for a period of time sufficiently long totransfer enough heat to the cap firing head to explode the cap. When thecap explodes, the container mounted over the filament is popped upwardlyor outwardly or at least away from the filaments mount by virtue of theheat of combustion heating the gases within the closed container.

THE FIGURES FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a typical toy deviceof this invention in front view.

FIG. Figure a illustrates a typical mechanism similar to that of FIG. 1for a safety switch, as well as an alternative mechanism of closing theswitch, the FIG. being shown in cross-section.

FIG. 1b illustrates an enlarged view of the removable and replaceablefilaments of the type shown in each of FIG. 1 and FIG. 10.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side in-part exploded view of a toy device such asthat of FIG. 1, additionally illustrating a light bulb which may beplugged in on the back side of the device and which lights up wheneverthe electrical circuit is completed. Preferably the light bulb is aflash bulb.

FIG. 3 illustrates a typical simple electrical circuit such as isemployed in each of FIGS. 1, la, 1b, and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to FIG. 1, aremovable filament 4 is insertably mounted in contact with positive andnegative leads 5 and 6, the lead 6 being illustrated as having thesafety switch 7 with the lever arm 8 normally biased outwardly away frombut depressible towards and against conductor lead 9. Lead 5 iscontinuous with contact lead 5' contactable with conductor lead 10 whichis a continuing circuit of the lead 10a. Lead 9 is contactable with lead11 which is continuous with lead 1 la and 11b with actuation switch 12being closable of the circuit between leads 11a and 11b. The switch 12includes a conductor bridging member 16 mounted on metallic arm 14magnetically attractable by magnet 13 such that when in a closedposition, it is held in a closed position, and the arm 14 beingpivotably mounted at 16. The magnet 13 is magnetically attractable ofthe lever arm 14a whereby when the switch is in the open position themagnet 13' holds the switch in the open position until such time as arm14 is pressed toward the magnet 13 by virtue of typically a projectileor hammer or other article hitting target 17. The member 18 isreceivable of the member 19 and normally the member 18 and the member 20may be either the same piece or two separate pieces (18 and 20) fixedlyjoined together or alternatively separable.

FIG. 1a illustrates a cross sectional view of a typical embodiment inwhich lead 5a is continuous with lead 5a, in which the respective legs4a and 4b of filament 4' are insertable in contact with the respectiveleads 5a and 6a; also whereas in FIG. 1 a wedge member 18 pressedagainst the lever 8, in FIG.1a the container edge 19" is being presseddownwardly snugly mounted around the base 19a is pressible downwardlyagainst switch arm 8a to bring about contact with lead 9a.

FIG. 1b illustrates in frontal view a typical preferred filament of thisinvention. The filament may be of any suitable resilient desired and/orconventional filament material of reasonably high electrical resistancesuch that heat will be produced therein, which head will betransmittable immediately by contact with and to the cap head.

FIG. 2 is the same as that illustrated in FIG. 1, except that FIG. 2additionally illustrates alight 20 which may be either permanentlymounted or may be of a removable and replaceable nature, typically withprongs insertable into contact with leads llaa and llbb (not shown).

FIG. 3 illustrates the circuit of the embodiment illustrated in F IG. 1and is self explanatory.

Note that the container 21 as illustrated has cylindrical walls 19defining a lower opening 22 and inner space 23.

Modifications and substitutions of pans of equivalent function arewithin the scope and spirit of this inven tion. For example preferablythe light bulb and a circuit therefor mountable on the mounting base forthe filament 4 above the filament within the enclosure of container 21where the heat from the flash bulb further adds to the heat of expansionof gas(es) within the enclosure when the cap is fired, plus the moreexciting visible flash of light from the flash of the flash bulb.

Preferably the enclosure 21 is transparent or translucent of anyconventional or desired fire-resistant composition.

To prevent a short circuit between 5 and 6 and the circuit to which theflashbulb is connected, an electrical shunt (low resistance to thecurrent) sets off the flashbulb first allowing full current to flowthrough 5 and 6 of the drawing thereafter.

We claim:

1. A toy device comprising in combination: an electrical circuit meansincluding negative and positive leads and respectively each lead havinga terminal connectable to a power source; said circuit means includingin electrical series a spring electrode comprising a conductingfilament, a safety switch biased in an open state, and an actuationswitch; said filament including at least two opposite ends removablymountable in electrically-conducting contact with respective ones ofsaid negative and positive leads, and said filament including a bodyportion between the two ends shaped to provide a filament-contactsurface contactable with a raised cap-portion of a heat-explodable cap.

2. A toy device according to claim 1, in which the filament ends areopposite ends of the filament and body of the filament is bent such thatthe ends point in an about common direction to one another defining aspace therebetween at least wider than a predetermined width of saidexplodable cap.

3. A toy device of claim 2 in which said filament body is of an M-shapewith the apex of the downwardly pointed central portion of the M beingsaid filamentcontact surface.

4. The toy device according to claim 3, including a vessel open at oneend removably mountable over said filament, said vessel including asafety-switch abutting means for pressing against said openly-biasedsafety switch such that when said vessel is mounted over said filamentthe abutting means is closable of said safety switch.

5. The toy device of claim 4, in which said actuation switch includes aswitch lever arm having mounted thereon structure to receive a forcefulblow of a projectile and mounted in a position such that a forceful blowof a projectile is closeable of said switch to a removably-securedstate.

6. The toy device of claim 5, including in series in the circuit a lightbulb.

7. The toy device of claim 6 including a first male member havingpositive and negative leads with each respective lead being receivableof one of said terminal ends such that electrical contact is obtainable,said male member being of a size in transverse cross-section such thatthe male member is receivable snugly into said containers open end andpartially insertable thereinto such that said container is therebymountable over said spring electrode; a second member providing a basesupport and having a first member-receiving means for, removablymounting said first member on said second member, said actuation switchbeing mounted on said second member.

8. The toy device of claim 1, in which said filament body is of anM-shape with the apex of the downwardly pointed central portion of the Mbeing said filamentcontact surface.

9. The toy device of claim 1, including a vessel open at one endremovably mountable over said filament, said vessel including asafety-switch abutting means for pressing against said openly-biasedsafety switch such that when said vessel is mounted over said filamentthe abutting means is closable of said safety switch.

10. The toy device of claim 1, in which said actuation switch includes aswitch lever arm having mounted thereon structure to receive a forcefulblow of a projecsecured state.

II. The toy device of claim 1, including in series in the circuit alight bulb.

12. The toy device of claim 1, including a first male member havingpositive and negative leads with each respective lead being receivableof one of said terminal ends such that electrical contact is obtainable,said male member being of a size in transverse cross section such thatthe male member is receivable snugly into said container's open end andpartially insertable thereinto such that said container is therebymountable over said spring electrode; a second member providing a basesupport and having a first member-receiving means for removably mountingsaid first member on said second member, said actuation switch beingmounted on said second member.

1. A toy device comprising in combination: an electrical circuit meansincluding negative and positive leads and respectively each lead havinga terminal connectable to a power source; said circuit means includingin electrical series a spring electrode comprising a conductingfilament, a safety switch biased in an open state, and an actuationswitch; said filament including at least two opposite ends removablymountable in electricallyconducting contact with respective ones of saidnegative and positive leads, and said filament including a body portionbetween the two ends shaped to provide a filament-contact surfacecontactable with a raised cap-portion of a heat-explodable cap.
 2. A toydevice according to claim 1, in which the filament ends are oppositeends of the filament and body of the filament is bent such that the endspoint in an about common direction to one another defining a spacetherebetween at least wider than a predetermined width of saidexplodable cap.
 3. A toy device of claim 2 in which said filament bodyis of an M-shape with the apex of the downwardly pointed central portionof the M being said filament-contact surface.
 4. The toy deviceaccording to claim 3, including a vessel open at one end removablymountable over said filament, said vessel including a safety-switchabutting means for pressing against said openly-biased safety switchsuch that when said vessel is mounted over said filament the abuttingmeans is closable of said safety switch.
 5. The toy device of claim 4,in which said actuation switch includes a switch lever arm havingmounted thereon structure to receive a forceful blow of a projectile andmounted in a position such that a forceful blow of a projectile iscloseable of said switch to a removably-secured state.
 6. The toy deviceof claim 5, including in series in the circuit a light bulb.
 7. The toydevice of claim 6 including a first male member having positive andnegative leads with each respective lead being receivable of one of saidterminal ends such that electrical contact is obtainable, said malemember being of a size in transverse cross-section such that the malemember is receivable snugly into said container''s open end andpartially insertable thereinto such that said container is therebymountable over said spring electrode; a second member providing a basesupport and having a first member-receiving means for removably mountingsaid first member on said second member, said actuation switch beingmounted on said second member.
 8. The toy device of claim 1, in whichsaid filament body is of an M-shape with the apex of the downwardlypointed central portion of the M being said filament-contact surface. 9.The toy device of claim 1, including a vessel open at one end removablymountable over said filament, said vessel including a safety-switchabutting means for pressing against said openly-biased safety switchsuch that when said vessel is mounted over said filament the abuttingmeans is closable of said safety switch.
 10. The toy device of claim 1,in which said actuation switch includes a switch lever arm havingmounted thereon structure to receive a forceful blow of a projectile andmounted in a position such that a forceful blow of a projectile isclosable of said switch to a removably-secured state.
 11. The toy deviceof claim 1, including in series in the circuit a light bulb.
 12. The toydevice of claim 1, including a first male member having positive andnegative leads with each respective lead being receivable of one of saidterminal ends such that electrical contact is obtainable, said malemember being of a size in transvErse cross section such that the malemember is receivable snugly into said container''s open end andpartially insertable thereinto such that said container is therebymountable over said spring electrode; a second member providing a basesupport and having a first member-receiving means for removably mountingsaid first member on said second member, said actuation switch beingmounted on said second member.